Grief does not respect office hours. When a colleague returns to work after a significant loss, the workplace becomes part of their healing environment — for better or worse.
What helps — and what doesn't
- Do: Acknowledge the loss simply — 'I'm thinking of you.'
- Do: Offer practical support — covering a meeting, flexible hours.
- Don't: Compare losses or rush them toward 'being strong.'
- Don't: Avoid them because you don't know what to say.
Managers and HR teams often want to do the right thing but lack language for it. Recro's corporate speaking programmes include grief literacy workshops that equip leaders to respond with dignity and clarity — protecting both the grieving employee and team cohesion.
“Presence matters more than perfection. A colleague who shows up without fixing is often the most healing presence in the room.”
